The Watchers Guide Buffy The Vampire Slayer

The Watchers Guide Buffy The Vampire Slayer | Christopher Golden, Nancy Holder

#SundayFunday‘s question is about our favorite fictional witch.

My answer is, unapologetically, not literary. But I‘ll always snag an opportunity to stan Willow. 🔮 I even have a tattoo dedicated to her on my inner thigh! It‘s a cauldron with criss-crossed pussy willow branches directly beneath. It doesn‘t explicitly scream Buffy but it‘s a tender nod (in a tender spot).

BookmarkTavern

BookmarkTavern Amazing! She‘s a great pick for this! Thanks for sharing! 3mo

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monalyisha

The Watchers Guide Buffy The Vampire Slayer | Christopher Golden, Nancy Holder

so-so

This review is for Slayers: A Buffyverse Story.

I haven‘t belonged to a true fandom before or since Buffy. I was obsessed. As a tween, I kept The Watcher‘s Guide under my bed. I knew that Alyson Hannigan had a tattoo of a dolphin on her ankle, that David Boreanaz was discovered while playing with his pups at the dog park, that Nicholas Brendan is a twin. I wrote to the actors and had their autographed photos — in duplicate.

Review cont‘d 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/7: My first AOL screenname was AngelLvr86. I was the treasurer of the (neighborhood‘s unofficial) I Love David Boreanaz Fan Club; I kept our money, earned through lemonade sales, secured in a sparkly pencil case. I played Queen C (that‘s Cordelia, for the uninitiated) in role-playing chat rooms. I read fanfiction. I had my hair cut and dyed like Willow Rosenberg‘s (circa 1999). Buffy was a way of life. (edited) 2y

monalyisha 2/7: Suffice it to say, despite the two decades in-between the series finale and (many of) the actors reprising their roles for “Slayers: a Buffyverse Story,” I was excited to hear that the audio series was being produced. And nervous. And I should have been. Nervous, that is… (edited) 2y

monalyisha 3/7: I suppose this is partially my fault. I thought “Slayers” was an audiobook and it‘s decidedly not; it‘s an “audio drama” or “theater for the mind.” And it feels, very much, like theater…with the whole vibe which that entails. I spent the first half-hour of my listening experience actively cringing with second-hand embarrassment. I eventually stopped cringing but reserved the right to an occasional eye-roll. 2y

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monalyisha 4/7: It felt like a bunch of the original cast members almost forgot who they were. Charisma Carpenter and Emma Caulfield are wholly excluded from this criticism. They were fabulous (although sometimes hard to tell apart). James Marsters eventually settled into his role as Spike but it took more than a hot minute; it felt like his scenes with Juliet Landau were what rocketed him back into his character. And Indira was great (but new). (edited) 2y

monalyisha 5/7: I think my main problem with the whole production is that it‘s *extremely* Tara-heavy (which makes sense given that Amber Benson co-wrote the story). I loathe to admit it but I NEVER liked Tara. I thought I didn‘t like her because she was weak and whiny; as it turns out, I don‘t like her when she‘s powerful and ruthless, either! 2y

monalyisha 6/7: There was also a strange obsession with “best friends,” which is much too juvenile, conceptually, to speak to the intended audience. I‘m assuming that audience is nostalgic elder Millennials, like me. Buffy (the show) focused on the importance of community…but it was a more mature focus than singling out one friend to revere above the rest. (edited) 2y

monalyisha 7/7: I want to end on a positive note. My rabid fandom requires it. Fans know that Charisma Carpenter originally auditioned for the role of the slayer. I would never trade SMG as Buffy, of course…but it was loads of fun to see how Charisma would have shone had she been cast. I will listen to the next installment because I don‘t know what‘s good for me. 2y

Ruthiella I never warmed to Tara either, though she does have a lovely singing voice as evidenced in the musical episode. 2y

monalyisha @Ruthiella I always felt bad for not liking her more. For the record, she does not sing a single line in this “radio play.” She does, however, talk to a monkey named Mr. Pickles. So, there‘s that. 2y

BennettBookworm This review is so helpful and I really appreciate your detail! ❤️ Big fan of Buffy, so I wasn‘t sure what to think of this new content or the premise or if I‘d really like it. Might be that what I need instead is just another rewatch. 2y

monalyisha Thanks, @BennettBookworm! I clearly had a lot to work through. 😅 It wasn‘t what I expected. The only reason I didn‘t listen immediately when it was released in October is because I was worried I needed to have read the comics first. I ended up diving in without doing so, and I‘m kind of glad I didn‘t spend so much time gearing up for something that was so disappointing. 😬 2y

BennettBookworm Oh yeah BIG TIME! Smart move, haha yes you can thank your past self for not investing that time! 2y

julesG This review grounded me and lowered my expectations. Thank you! I'll approach it with the knowledge that it's not exactly a Buffy episode. 😁 2y

5feet.of.fury I thought it was a good redo for Tara & CC, in a way they took their characters back from Whedon. Spike & Dru back together enough of a nostalgia pop for me to rank it pretty high. The only real failure I thought was the several different Anyas, it got silly & was confusing in that format (which is not a book) 2y

TheLudicReader I haven‘t listened, but I am feeling now that I won‘t bother to seek it out. Like you, although I was much older when I discovered the show, I was a huge fan. I collected the merch, the books, the dvds…and read (and wrote) a ton of fic. I think I will keep my memories of this time in my life intact. 2y

monalyisha @5feet.of.fury The reclaiming bit, especially for CC, was a win. I hope she felt catharsis and pride! 2y

51 likes16 comments

jpmcwisemorgan

The Watchers Guide Buffy The Vampire Slayer | Christopher Golden, Nancy Holder

I think I used to have this book but I'm pretty sure it was donated in a book cull a couple of years ago. That's not why I'm posting, though. Today was the last day of the Austin Comic Con and I won a free ticket so I went, spent more money than I intended (especially with Alamo City Con coming) but I ended up with this photo and an autograph. James Marsters is super nice.

Nicohlay James Marsters 😍😍😍😍 9y

jpmcwisemorgan @Nicohlay I know! I was going to get my autograph on a photo of him as Spike but I ended up with a more candid shot of him with John Barrowman. I'm hoping to go to Alamo City Con next month and now I can have both signatures. 9y

jpmcwisemorgan I forgot to add that JM narrates the Harry Dresden books. 😀 9y

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Conqueringpageswithtea He is super nice. Met him two times in Toronto and he was always nice and genuine. 9y

Nicohlay Omg thank you for letting me know he narrates books! I looove his voice lol 9y

Nicohlay And btw super jealous of yall that are getting to/have met him 9y

jpmcwisemorgan @Nicohlay I think he makes it to conventions pretty regularly so maybe someday you'll get to meet him too. Oh, and he had at least one CD floating around out there because he sings too. You could probably find it on his webpage. 9y

29 likes7 comments

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

The Watchers Guide Buffy The Vampire Slayer | Christopher Golden, Nancy Holder

Talk about a perfect #TBT find! Found this classic at the Goodwill for .99 and I just had to pick it up for that price....along with a few other books. LOL, I just couldn't resist it!

Eyelit Omg - I have all three! Gifts from friends and fam back in the day. Oh, Buffy. I miss that show. Thank goodness for comics! 9y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Eyelit I have the series on DVD! I splurged a few years ago, before that I had them all taped on VHS's. LOL. It was a great show. I also have a few

Tales of the Slayer

CherylDeFranceschi ❤️ 9y

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Darthdad I just picked up the musical episodes digital soundtrack. Getting the mustard out has never been so triumphant 9y

queerbookreader GTFO THIS IS THE BEST FIND 9y

queerbookreader Speaking of watching guides I actually picked up vol 1 of The X Files watching guide last night. But like honestly Buffy is the better find bravo 9y

Lylah 😍😍😍 9y

BookishFeminist YESSSSS BUFFY 9y

megt I think I still have a copy of this! Now I'm hoping it's on my bookshelf and not packed away. 9y

Johanna414 Amazing! I still watch the show regularly, but never did read the books 9y

Sarahj87 So good! I remember getting this book as a teen :) 9y

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